TEAM UP

team_up_2The 2007 Quality of Life Progress Report by JCCI set goals for increasing school attendance and increasing math and reading levels. Children’s Commission studies have determined that overall, TEAM UP participants demonstrate higher rates of school attendance and fewer absences than most school averages.

The Bridge of Northeast Florida, Inc. has a long, successful track record implementing TEAM UP programs. Currently, The Bridge operates seven programs located in targeted impoverished communities throughout Jacksonville and serving over 800 students.

  • The Bridge operates two middle school TEAM UPs: Arlington Middle School in zip code 32211 and duPont Middle School in zip code 32217.
  • The Bridge operates 5 elementary TEAM UP sites: Justina Road School in zip code 32277, North Shore K-8th School and Rutledge H. Pearson in zip code 32208, St. Clair Evans Academy in zip code 32209 and Andrew Robinson School in zip code 32206.
Outcomes for TEAM UP are consistent with those of community initiatives like Blue Print for Prosperity including the increase of promotion rates, the decrease of truancy, and the development of well rounded and well adjusted youth through the strenthening of critical thinking and positive decision making skills.
 
The students begin with a nutritious snack followed by a 60 minute homework assistance session. Certified teachers and volunteers assist the students with homework through one-on-one instruction, group help and specific skill tutoring focused on math and reading. In partnership with day time teachers, TEAM UP instruction reinforces the school day lessons.
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A complementary daily enrichment session is held including participation in clubs, fine arts, sports, computer instruction and field trips created to further illustrate and bring to life classroom and book lessons.  To boost self-esteem and build assets, children are provided opportunities to develop leadership skills, responsibility, contribute to school, family and community; to make decisions and choices, to develop self-discipline and to deal with failure and mistakes. The program day ends with a nutritious meal before students are safely dismissed at 6 pm.

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Kenneth  Darity: Bridge graduate, College graduate, Teacher.

Attending the Bridge Urban Springfield Program as a teen and working on the main Bridge campus kept Kenneth out of trouble and on the right track in high school.

After graduating, Kenneth qualified for college scholarships from The Bridge and graduated with a degree in communications.  Kenneth found his way back to The Bridge… this time as an employee!  He became a program coordinator for a Bridge TEAM UP after school program at St. Clair Evans Academy, a stones throw away from the housing project where he grew up.

Recently, Kenneth accepted a promotional opportunity with the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, one of The Bridge’s principal funders. Kenneth is married and last year, he and his wife bought their first home.

“Growing up, I set many goals for myself.  Of those goals, one was to become the first college graduate in my family.  Thanks to the support of my family, friends, and agencies such as The Bridge, that goal is now a reality.”